<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0202</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>4</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2007-06-01</periodOfReport>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0001138118</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>CB RICHARD ELLIS GROUP INC</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>CBG</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001375601</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>Su Jane</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>BLUM CAPITAL PARTNERS, L.P.</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>909 MONTGOMERY ST., SUITE 400</rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>SAN FRANCISCO</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>CA</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>94133</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>1</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <nonDerivativeTable>
        <nonDerivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Class A Common Stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2007-06-01</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>A</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>1222</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>0</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>A</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>1863</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F1"/>
                    <footnoteId id="F2"/>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
                <natureOfOwnership>
                    <value></value>
                </natureOfOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeTransaction>
    </nonDerivativeTable>

    <derivativeTable>
        <derivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Stock Option (Right to Buy)</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <value>36.78</value>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2007-06-01</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>A</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>1359</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>0</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>A</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <exerciseDate>
                <footnoteId id="F3"/>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <value>2014-06-01</value>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>Class A Common Stock</value>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>1359</value>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>1359</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F1"/>
                    <footnoteId id="F2"/>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
                <natureOfOwnership>
                    <value></value>
                </natureOfOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </derivativeTransaction>
    </derivativeTable>

    <footnotes>
        <footnote id="F1">These securities were granted to Jane J. Su who is a director of the Issuer.  Ms. Su is a member of Blum Strategic GP, L.L.C., the general partner Blum Strategic Partners, L.P. (&quot;Strategic&quot;) and also a member of Blum Strategic GP II, L.L.C., the general partner of Blum Strategic Partners II, L.P.  (&quot;Strategic II&quot;) and the managing limited partner of Blum Strategic Partners II GmbH &amp; Co. KG (&quot;Strategic KG&quot;).  Under each of the Strategic, Strategic II and Strategic KG partnership agreements, Ms. Su is deemed to hold each partnership's pro rata share of the securities for the benefit of each partnership, and each partnership is entitled to a pro rata portion of the securities issued.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F2">Accordingly, each Strategic, Strategic II and Strategic KG may be deemed to be the indirect beneficial owners of the securities to the extent of their pro rata interest therein, and Blum Strategic GP, L.L.C., Blum Strategic GP II, L.L.C. and Ms. Su may be deemed to be indirect beneficial owners of the securities.  Blum Strategic GP, L.L.C., Blum Strategic GP II, L.L.C. and Ms. Su disclaim beneficial ownership of the securities, except to the extent of any pecuniary interest therein.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F3">This option vests and becomes exercisable at a rate of one-twelfth (1/12th) of the options per quarter over a period of three (3) years.</footnote>
    </footnotes>

    <remarks></remarks>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>/s/ Jane J. Su</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2007-06-05</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>
